To the scribes who ask what is the great commandment Jesus answers in a disconcerting way: Listen! Loving God and neighbour with all one's self is worth more than a thousand sacrifices!

To the scribe, who had understood all this, Jesus points out that he is not far from the Kingdom of God.

The life of Francis of Assisi is full of singular episodes that testify to the breadth of a new heart, marked by Love.

At the beginning of their community life, the brothers lived at Rivotorto, 3 km from the Portiuncula.

Here is what happened one night:

"One night, one of those sheep, while the others were sleeping, began to cry out, «I am dying, brothers, I am starving!»

The wise shepherd immediately got up and hastened to bring appropriate help to the infirm sheep.

He ordered the table to be prepared, even if it was with simple food [...].

It was he who began to eat first and invited the other brothers to that duty of charity, so that the poor man would not blush.

Having taken the food with the fear of the Lord, so that the act of charity might be complete, the Father gave his sons a long discourse on the virtue of discretion.

He warned them to always offer God a sacrifice seasoned with prudence, cautioning them to take their own strength into account in divine service [...].

Then he added:

«Beloved, what I have done in eating, know that it was done not out of greed, but out of dutiful care and because fraternal charity imposed it on me.

Let charity be an example to you, not food, because this satisfies gluttony, that instead satisfies the spirit» (FF 608).

The Poor Assisian had very clear ideas about the priorities to be given on the spiritual path.

For him, love of God with every fibre of his being and of his neighbour was a sweet truth carved into his heart in letters of fire.

In this regard, we are assisted by the Sources, rich in episodes of life.

Clare, a faithful disciple of Francis, did the same within the Damianite walls, always ready to serve lovingly the sisters of her community and those who knocked at the Monastery door.

"She washed the seats of the infirm, she cleansed them herself, with that noble spirit of hers, without shying away from filthiness or loathing the stench" (FF 3181).

"Very often he washed the feet of servants returning from outside and, washing them, kissed them" (FF 3182).

To love the Lord with all one's strength and one's neighbour as oneself is worth more than holocausts; the two Assisian giants had understood this well, testifying to all.

«And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your life and with all your mind and with all your strength [...] You shall love your neighbour as yourself»  (Mk 12:30-31)

Thursday 9th wk. in O.T.  (Mk 12,28b-34)

Jesus reminds us that those who are considered worthy of the future life will not have a wife or husband forever.

In this regard, the Sources have a very significant episode that makes one reflect.

"In the hermitage of the friars of Sarteano, the evil one, who always envies the spiritual progress of the sons of God, even had this presumption.

Seeing that the saint was continually striving for his sanctification, and did not neglect today's gain satisfied with that of the previous day, one night, while he was praying in his little cell, he called out to him three times: "Francis, Francis, Francis".

«What do you want?»

And that: 'There is no sinner in the world who does not obtain God's mercy if he repents. But whoever causes his own death by rigorous penance will not find mercy in eternity'.

The Saint immediately recognised, by revelation, the cunning of the enemy, as he sought to induce him to lukewarmness [...].

Seeing that in this way he had not succeeded in hiding the snare, he prepared another, that is, a carnal stimulus [...].

As soon as the Father notices [such temptation] he strips himself of his robe and scourges himself with extreme harshness with a piece of rope.

«Now Brother Donkey," he exclaims, "so you must submit, so suffer the scourge! The cassock is the Order's, it is not licit to misappropriate it [...]».

But since he saw that with the blows of discipline the temptation would not go away [...] he went out into the garden and plunged naked into the deep snow.

Then taking the snow with his full hands he clutches it and makes seven piles of it in the shape of dummies, then he places himself before them and begins to speak to the body thus:

«Behold, this eldest is thy wife, these four, two are thy sons and two thy daughters; the other two are the servant and the maid, necessary for the service».

«Make haste, you must clothe them all because they are dying of cold. If then this multiple preoccupation is a burden to you, serve the Lord with diligence».

"[...] and the Saint returned to his cell glorifying God" (FF 703).

«For when they rise from the dead, they neither take wives nor husbands, but are as angels in heaven» (Mk 12:25)

Wednesday, 9th wk. in O.T.  (Mk 12:18-27)

In today's Gospel, the evangelist Mark proposes the theme of paying taxes to the emperor of Rome. 

The Pharisees and Herodians, in order to mislead Jesus, put a question to him:

«Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?» (Mk 12:14).

But the Lord answers with that wisdom which comes from above and which is his own:

«What [is] Caesar's, render to Caesar, and what is God's, to God» (Mk 12:17).

In the Franciscan Sources, the Assisian Minim shows the Wisdom of a Poor Man throughout his life.

At the beginning of his conversion he gives his money to a priest so that he can repair the church, realising that in this way he would render to God what was his, living distributive justice.

"The new knight of Christ approaches the church, and seeing it in that miserable condition, feels his heart clench.

He enters with reverential awe and, meeting a poor priest there, with great faith kisses his consecrated hands, offers him the money he carries and manifests to him his intentions.

Amazed at his sudden conversion, the priest almost did not believe what his ears heard and refused to take the money, fearing a hoax.

In fact he had seen him, as it were, the day before making merry among relatives and friends, surpassing all in foolishness.

But Francis insists and pleads with him repeatedly to believe his words, and begs him to take him in to serve the Lord.

And finally the priest allows him to stay with him, although he persists in refusing money, for fear of his relatives.

Then Francis, a true despiser of wealth, throws it over a small window, heedless of it as much as of the dust.

For he longed to possess the wisdom that is better than gold and to obtain the prudence that is more precious than silver' (FF 335).

After so much lasciviousness he wanted to give due weight to things and render to God what is his and to men what is theirs.

And the sources continue to illustrate the dynamics of his living in truth:

"Francis, supremely in love with God, had a great contempt for all earthly things, but above all he detested money.

He began to despise it in a very particular way from the very beginning of his conversion and advised his followers to flee it like the devil himself.

He had suggested to them this expedient, to make the same account of money and dung [...]" (FF 651).

Just as Jesus disconcerts the onlookers with his sharp response, so Francis, following in his footsteps, surprises everyone with a new existence under the banner of truth and justice.

Tuesday, 9th wk. in O.T.  (Mk 12, 13-17)

Jesus narrates the metaphor of the murderous peasants. It was only at the end that the priests and Pharisees realised it was addressed to them, and tried to capture him, fearing however the crowd who considered him a prophet.

Francis well knew that Jesus is the cornerstone, discarded by the builders, yet precious and granite before God.

He knew and repeated in his heart the Psalm (118) that captures all this:

«Jesus says to them, 'You have never read in the Scriptures: the stone which the builders reproved, this one has become a cornerstone [...]»" (Mt 21:42).

In the Sources, we find the Poverello's great respect for the stones that reminded him of the Milestone: Christ.

Celano, in the Second Life, points out:

"He walked reverently over the stones, in regard to him who is called Stone. 'And having to recite the verse, which says: on the stone you have raised me up, he mutates the words thus for greater respect: «Under the feet of the Stone you have raised me up»" (FF 750).

Following the example of Christ and through the work of the Spirit, Francis became a stone in the building of the Church.

The major legend states in this regard:

"During the two years that followed the impression of the stigmata he, like a stone destined for the building of the heavenly Jerusalem, had been squared by the blows of trial, through his many and tormented infirmities, and, like a ductile material, had been reduced to ultimate perfection under the hammer of numerous tribulations" (FF 1239).

Together with Francis, Clare was also made the foundation stone for the Order of the Poor Ladies.

We read: "The first work Francis set about [...] was to rebuild a temple to the Lord. He does not plan to build a new one, but restores an ancient and crumbling church; he does not undermine the foundations, but builds on them, thus unknowingly leaving the primacy to Christ. For no one could create any other foundation than that which has already been laid: Jesus Christ.

Returning therefore to the place where, as has been said, the church of San Damiano had formerly been built, with the grace of the Most High he repaired it with all diligence in a short time" (FF 350).

"This is the blessed and holy place in which the glorious Order of the «Poor Ladies» and holy virgins, almost six years after his conversion, had its happy origin by Francis himself.

It was there that Lady Clare, also a native of Assisi, a most precious and strong stone, became the foundation stone for all the other stones of this religious family" (FF 351).

On the cornerstone of Christ, the One whom the murderous vinedressers persecuted and killed, are placed (there finding place and meaning) stones made alive by Him to build the Kingdom of God by the power of the Spirit.

«Have you not read this Scripture: The stone which the builders rejected, this one has become the cornerstone [...]» (Mk 12:10)

Monday 9th wk. in O.T. (Mk 12,1-12)

On this Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, our thoughts turn to how Francis and Clare lived out this Mystery of Unity and Sharing.

As we read through the Sources, we realise that the early experiences were enveloped in the blessing of this great Mystery.

For example, Francis’s Testament concludes as follows:

" «And whoever observes these things, may he be filled in heaven with the blessing of the Most High Father, and on earth with the blessing of his beloved Son, with the Most Holy Spirit the Paraclete, and with all the powers of heaven and all the saints.

And I, little Brother Francis, your servant, insofar as I am able, confirm this most holy blessing to you both within and without. Amen» ” (FF 131).

In the Regola non bollata, specifically in the [Admonition to the Friars], he exhorts them thus:

“ «And let us always build within ourselves a house and a permanent dwelling for Him, who is the Lord God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit […] And let us adore Him with a pure heart» ” (FF 61).

In the same Rule, further on:

“ «And wherever we are, all of us, in every place, at every hour and in every time, every day and without ceasing, let us truly and humbly believe, and hold in our hearts, and love, honour, adore, serve, praise and bless, glorify and exalt, magnify and give thanks to the Most High and supreme eternal God, Trinity and Unity, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, Creator of all things and Saviour of all who believe and hope in him and love him; who is without beginning and without end, unchangeable, invisible, ineffable, incomprehensible, inscrutable, blessed, worthy of praise, glorious, exalted, sublime, gentle, lovable, delightful and above all things desirable for ever and ever. Amen» ” (FF 71).

The mystery of the Trinity is illustrated by the attributes used by the Poverello.

And in the Legend of the Three Companions there is a passage which highlights how Francis, regarding the way of life to be followed [by him and his companions], consulted the Holy Scriptures.

“A true worshipper of the Trinity, he sought the support of three witnesses; wherefore he opened the book a second and a third time.

Each time he opened the book, Francis gave thanks to God, who approved the ideal he had long yearned for” (FF 1431).

And Clare herself, at the beginning of her Spiritual Testament, begins thus:

“ «In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May he show you his face and be merciful to you» ” (FF 2854).

The two Poor of Assisi made the Trinity their dwelling place, the inexhaustible Treasure from which to draw Light and Love, Communion and multifacetedness.

«For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have the life of the Eternal» (Jn 3:16)

Trinity Sunday A  (Jn 3:16–18)

Today's Gospel emphasises the authoritativeness of Jesus in responding to the arrogant pretension of the Pharisees who asked with what authority he did the works he performed, astounding them.

In Francis, this eloquent trait stemmed from his genuine holiness, rooted in humility, which silenced all insubordination among the brothers and the common people.

The humility of the Minim in the Assisian community made every hidden or overt pretension silent.

In the Sources there are interesting passages on this subject:

"Since his conversion, Francis, with the help of the Lord, founded himself and his house, that is, the Order, as a wise architect, on solid rock, that is, on the highest humility and poverty of the Son of God, and called it the Order of Friars Minor.

Above the utmost humility. For this reason, in the early days, when the brothers began to multiply, he wanted them to live in lazarettos to serve the lepers [...]" (FF 1658).

And again: "In order to preserve a greater humility, a few years after his conversion, in a Chapter celebrated at the Portiuncula, he resigned his position as prelate, saying in the presence of all the brothers present:

«From now on I am dead for you. But here is Brother Peter Cattanio, whom I and all of you will obey»" (FF 1661).

He once said to the General Minister:

«I want you to entrust the care you have of me to one of my companions. I will obey him as I obey you: for by the good example and virtue of obedience I want you to remain with me always, in life and in death».

And in the Rule of St Clare (1253):

«And just as at the beginning of his conversion, together with his sisters, he promised obedience to blessed Francis, so he promises to maintain it inviolably to his successors» (Bull of Pope Innocent IV, 2752).

Behold with what authority Francis, in the footsteps of his Master, did these things!

«By what authority do you do these things? O who gave you this authority to do these things?»  (Mk 11:28)

Saturday of the 8th wk. in O.T.  (Mk 11:27-33)

Through the parable of the barren fig tree, Jesus calls us to conversion, to be trees that bear fruit: «He went [to see] if he could find anything on it, and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves» (Mk 11:13).

Francis, humble of heart and simple, offers us a thought-provoking episode in this regard.

“He used to say that preachers are to be pitied, for they often sell their ministry for a penny’s worth of vainglory.

And he would sometimes try to cure their conceit with this remedy:

«Why do you boast of the conversion of men, when it is my simple brothers who have converted them through their prayers?»

And indeed, he commented thus on the passage that says: «even the barren woman has borne many children»:

«The barren woman is my poor friar, who has no task of begetting children in the Church. But at the judgement he will have brought many to light, for on that day the judge will ascribe to his glory those whom he now converts through his personal prayers»” (FF 749).

And again:

«There are many friars who […] whilst preaching the Gospel to individuals and to the people, on seeing or hearing that some have been edified or converted to penance, become puffed up and swell with pride over results achieved through the labour of others.

In truth, those whom they delude themselves into thinking they have edified or converted to penance through their words, it is the Lord who edifies and converts them through the prayers of the holy friars, even if the latter are unaware of it: this is God’s will, that they should not realise it, lest they become proud.

‘These friars are my knights of the Round Table, who hide themselves in secluded and uninhabited places, to devote themselves with greater fervour to prayer and meditation, weeping over their own sins and those of others» (FF 1624).

The humble and daily conversion of the Minor and his friars has, over time, revolutionised every form of arrogant thinking, thanks to the Word of Christ.

Friday, 8th wk. in O.T.  (Mk 11:11-25)

Jesus heals on the Jericho road a blind man who believes in Him and who, because of the salvation he has received, begins to follow Him glorifying God.

Blindness is a theme revisited by Francis on several occasions.

The Minim knew what blindness of body and soul was, having experienced it spiritually and physically.

The Name of Jesus on the lips of the Poor Man had often generated healings, restoring sight.

In the Sources we find:

"In the convent of the Friars Minor in Naples there was a friar named Robert who had been blind for many years.

At one point a fleshy growth formed over his eyes, preventing him from moving and lifting his eyelids.

One day, many foreign friars gathered in the friary, on their way to different parts of the world.

Well then, our blessed father Francis, a mirror of holy obedience, as if to encourage them on their journey with the novelty of a miracle, wanted to heal that friar, in their presence, in the following way.

'This friar Robert was deathly ill, so much so that by this time his soul had been recommended to him; when behold, the blessed Father appeared to him, in company with three friars, models of all holiness: saint Anthony, friar Augustine, and friar James of Assisi, who now, after death, accompanied him thoughtfully, just as they had followed him perfectly during life.

Taking a knife, St Francis cut away his superfluous flesh, restoring his sight and snatching him from the jaws of death; then he said to him:

«O son Robert, the grace I have given you is a sign for the brothers who set out for distant peoples: it is a sign that I will precede and guide them on their journey. Let them depart with joy and fulfil with a ready heart the obedience received!» (FF 1299).

The Canticle written by St Francis [Canticle of Brother Sun] is a hymn to life and light at the moment when he had lost his sight and been healed in his heart.

Francis, after his conversion, saw again and became a light for all, a beacon in the night of time.

Christ restored sight through him.

«And Jesus said to him: Go, your faith has saved you»  (Mk 10:52)

Thursday of the 8th wk. in O.T.  (Mk 10,46-52)

Francis and his brethren wanted to conform themselves to Christ the Servant and in everything they strove to follow in his footsteps.

The Sources recite: "They occupied the day in prayer and working with their hands [...] they loved each other with a deep affection, and served and provided for each other, as a mother would do with her only tenderly loved child" (FF 1446).

But also Clare of Assisi, little plant of the Seraphic Father, in the Monastery of St Damian gave extraordinary testimony of humble service to all the sisters, especially the sick.

We read: «The abbess is firmly obliged [...] to inform herself with solicitude about what their infirmity requires, both in terms of advice and in terms of food and other necessities, and to provide for them with charity and mercy [...] since all are obliged to provide for and serve their sick sisters, as they themselves would like to be served if they were to suffer any infirmity» (FF 2797).

All the Sources, then, abound repeatedly with the expression [referring both to Francis and Clare] that emphasises being at the service of Christ and the brothers.

We often encounter the expression: «Clare servant of Christ and of the poor Sisters» or also: «the servant of God Francis [...]» testifying to their being submissive for the sake of the Kingdom.

Wednesday, 8th wk. in O.T.  (Mk 10:32-45)